kjackson

I've often thought of building one of the Mouse family boats but never thought it would work for me because of my size. I seriously considered adding a couple of inches freeboard to avoid the swamping scenario, but I still think a Mouse is too small for what I'm after. My latest thought is to build a pram---being from the Pacific Northwest, I've owned and fished out of prams before, and I really like the safety/usability of a boat this size--I'm thinking of either an 8 or 10-foot boat. Whichever I choose will be built using the stitch-and-glue method. Having said that, I'll probably build a Mouse or two for the grandkids. I've also considered building a larger hull to replace my jon boat, but then I start thinking about the amount of time involved and the fact that I don't fish enough as it is...

Talked to a friend at Rapala to see what he would say--it's too early before ICAST to 'announce' anythng-- and he said that they "just might" have a new deep Wart coming out. However, he expects it to dive to 11-13 feet on the cast and 20 feet trolling. He said it an awesome bait that has been a couple of years in development-- if, of course, it exists.

You might check with Berkley-- it's been a while, maybe 20 years, but on a tour of the Berkley facility in Spirit Lake I got to talk to the reel repair guy. He asked me what my fave reel was. I told him an old direct-drive, 5000-size Abu that had been long discontinued. A short while later, he gave me one that he'd put together from parts. If that department is still in operation, you might get lucky. If not, the company might be able to direct you to whoever is doing repairs for the company now.

My approach is to keep things as simple and as pleasurable as possible. As I've grown older, I've found that activities that are complicated or have a level of difficulty--even though slight-- get shuttled aside for other interests or projects or chores. And I'm basically lazy. I'm ashamed to say that my boat has been sitting in the garage at the lake cabin because there is always something else that needs doing-- and it's easier to grab a couple of rods, a small box of gear and jump in the kayak. I enjoy kayak fishing, don't get me wrong, but there are two big lakes that I've not explored at all and a paddle kayak is limited in its range--at least for me. So...this year I'm uncomplicating things, finishing projects, abandoning others and working on getting back to what is enjoyable and relatively easy. In your situation, Randy, I'd probably move the boat to the lake you like, insure it for theft and try to limit what I leave on the boat and what I have to bring to have a fun day of fishing.

Sorry, but the only unused 9 wt sinking line I have is a Type III--no intermediates or sink tips. I have several unused 9 wt spey lines, but none are intermediate.

In the latest acquisition news, Pure Fishing is in the process of buying Plano Holdings... I hate to see another merger/buyout as it seems that fishermen seem to lose, but that dos seem to be the way the industry is going. Part of the reason, IMO, is that fishing and hunting are a large part of the economy, and the holding companies have discovered that.

Will check later...I'm thinking an 8 is about as heavy as I might have.

The Lahontans in Washington's Lake Lenore don't have any chubs to feed on as the trout were the only fish that could hack the water chemistry, but with a diet of insects--and the lake was rich with them-- the trout grew large, not as big as those in Pyramid, though. The largest I caught was eight or nine pounds, but the usual run that we caught were more like two or three. They were great fish on a fly rod. Wish I had a slide scanner, so I could dig out some slides.

They are neat trout for sure. One of their attributes is the ability to live in water that won't support other trout. Lahontans were planted in a largish lake in Washington state that wouldn't support other fish but was an ideal home for them. I can't remember exactly what was wrong with the chemistry--it has been too long--but the lake turned into a superb fishery. Had a few great days fishing in Lenore.

Sportsman's Outfitter in Belton has a Smokercraft you might be interested in. Also, LaCanne's Marine in southern Minnesota has a couple of boats worth looking at. And White's has a nice Ranger aluminum that is well outside my budget, not that I'm after a boat that big or tricked out.

Just got back from looking at our place, and the lake is lower than I've seen it, but then we've only owned the place for four years, so that isn't saying much. I was surprised to see Truman iced over, though. The only open water I did see was running from the Truman dam. Lotsa birds taking advantage of the shad buffet.

Cole Camp Creek is all white...

Waaaay back when I had a two-man raft--which was really a single person craft-- I painted Gluvit on the bottom to help on gravel launches and floating rivers. It lasted a long time... It's a messy/sticky product, but it was the thing guys in drift boats always used on the bottoms of their boats.

In order to avoid work or doing anything useful, I did a quick search on Craigslist to see if there have been major changes since yesterday. I hit the Des Moines list and then moved into Wisconsin... there are a few deep-vee hulls and while I didn't see any 1775 Impacts, I did see a few used (like two or three) boats of similar size that weren't Lunds. I looked at Appleton, Green Bay and LaCrosse. I've owned three Lunds and love the way they are designed. However, in recent years, there has been a LOT of trouble with the transoms. A friend had to have his redone under warranty, and he lost the use of his boat for something like six months. And now he has taken it back to Lund for more repairs. Don't know what the latest issue is, but it makes Crestliner and Alumacraft look good.

Very cool. Some of that stuff I recognize--the Perrine boxes if they're not Wheatley's, and I still have and use some of the lead wire on those small spools. I've been the lucky recipient of fly-fishing gifts from folks who knew I was addicted. I have several old flies in packages that I need to do something with besides leave in their cellophane jail cells. One guy gave me his fly-tying kit that he had been given when he was in hospital recovering from wounds in WWII. While the feathers were pretty much toast, I did get a Thompson A and a lot of hooks packaged with government labels covering the originals from Alcock's and others. And one friend I took fishing hit a garage/estate sale and bought the fly stuff and gave me all the tying material. Considering the previous owner had prepped materials for a lot of flies and had his recipes and instructions along with the materials, it was a hit. The only problem is that I have more material and stuff than I can ever use unless I turn commercial--which would limit my fishing time.

You might try searchtempest.com. I've used it to look at specific brands of boats. You indicate the distance you are willing to travel and then check each of the cities it lists in its results. I've been on the same quest-- I want a walleye boat, but a smaller one than you're after. What I'm finding now is that they are not many of 'em available. Part of that is seasonal, and part of it is the boom in folks buying boats because of the pandemic. Marine companies are doing a land-office business. Good luck.

-13 in Clinton. I'm tired of this winter. We have to go to the cabin to check on things soon, but I'm wondering if we can do the hill on the entry road even with 4x4.

This image is a wee bit shaky--too much caffeine I guess-- but you get the general idea. I've tried a number of the usual patterns, like Wooly Worm and various hackle patterns, but none of them look that impressive. Dunno, y'know. I'm after inspiration.

Looking for suggestions. I have a bunch--several hundred at least-- #4 offset sprout hooks. Think offset bass hooks and you'll get the idea. They are the old high-quality Fenwick hooks which are superb if you're fishing with really small plastics. However, I'd rather use them for flies and am looking for suggestions. The problem I have with them is that the shank between the bend and the eye is fairly short, so it's difficult to tie a decent wing. I've played with a couple of things back in cutthroat country, but they weren't stellar. Now that I'm not fishing for trout, help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Today, February 1, Johnny Morris announced a new bass team tournament trail for amateurs--no pros allowed. It is a family-oriented event. The trail has half a dozen tourneys scattered around the country and culminates in a championship event on Table Rock. It is the Bass Pro Shops' US Open (you can get a link on the BPS site after 11 am today). The highlights: all entry fees will go to habitat and conservation and the championship team will win $1 million in cash. Total payout for the trail events will be $4.3 million. The top 40 teams in each event will win spots in the championship. There is no initial event in Missouri or Arkansas. Grand Lake is the closest if I remember the map correctly.

Thanks; I appreciate that. Now to get busy.

Sold.

Out of curiosity-- are there images of these jigs? I'm getting back into tying--both jigs and flies and could use inspiration.

This is not about BPS. Got a report yesterday from buds in Europe that Rather Outdoors is working to buy Zebco. Rather Outdoors is the new name for the company that owns Strike King, Lew's and Salmo. I'm surprised at this as Lew's has a fairly good position with its rods and reels, and it seems like adding the Quantum brand (assuming it's part of the sale and wouldn't be spun off) would make them compete against each other. But then, what do I know about high finance? The Zebco range would be a good fit, though.

No, and I just checked.